Deadbeat dad fakes own death to dodge child support, arrested living with girlfriend

A man who staged his death to avoid paying child support has been caught after a bizarre twist during a virtual court hearing.

Jeffrey Bell Jr., 51, from Salem, Indiana, was arrested following an Indiana State Police investigation that exposed his elaborate attempt to escape financial obligations.

Authorities began looking into Bell’s case in April 2024 after the Washington County Child Support Administrator received emails claiming he had died.

The messages suggested that since Bell had passed away, the large sum of unpaid child support he owed would never be recovered.

However, investigators suspected he was still alive and living with his girlfriend in northern Washington County.

Acting on a tip, Indiana State Police Detective Travis Baker visited the home. When Baker arrived, he encountered a man who initially denied being Bell. Despite his claims, the detective was able to confirm his identity.

Bell was charged with False Informing and given an initial court date. On January 23, he virtually appeared for his court hearing, claiming to be out of state.

However, officials became suspicious that he was attending the meeting from the same Washington County home where he had been found months earlier.

Acting on this suspicion, deputies from the Washington County Sheriff’s Department went to the residence while the hearing was still ongoing. After confirming Bell was inside, Judge Larry Medlock immediately ordered his arrest.

Bell now faces multiple charges, including three counts of Failing to Appear, one count of False Informing, and one count of Contempt of Court.

He was booked into the Washington County Jail with a Sh 13 million bond for the False Informing charge and additional holds for the other offences.